Elementary School: Days of the Book
Days of the Book – Summer 2021
School events always come with much planning and many phone calls, store runs and meetings with volunteers and helpers. Our event on June 15 and 16 2021 was no different – we could hardly wait for the days of the event when we would open the reading path on the book “Der große Kapokbaum” (The Great Kapok Tree) by author Lynne Cherry behind the Elementary School to the students. Eight stations on the topic of “Save the Rain Forests” were set up where the students could earn stickers for reading two-page passages from the book. The colorful animal pictures artfully created by Ms. Hardage complemented the lively illustrations in the book beautifully.
We got very lucky with the weather. The night before, a heavy rain storm gave us cause to worry, but on the day of the event the sun shone brightly and the raindrops were glittering in the trees like they do in the rainforest.
Every minute of every day, an area as large as three soccer fields is deforested in the rainforests of the world. This fact amazed even the youngest of our participants and made them realize that the rainforests are very much worth saving. Unfortunately, this topic is as relevant today as it has ever been.
Our message was supported by the many posters that the students of classes 3a and 4b had created: Save the Rainforest or Rettet den Regenwald was the motto that the students had depicted and described in many different variations in their work.
On the stone walls, the 4th Graders displayed 40 dioramas which they had made in art class. This exhibition was a big hit with all the participants and the students felt like they were transported right into the heart of the rainforest. The boisterous chirping of the cicada combined with the cheerful songs of the birds helped create the perfect atmosphere.
Everyone enjoyed being out and about on the school campus with their classmates and instead of in their classrooms for a while. We want to thank our volunteers Ms. Brauns, Ms. Klär, Ms. Kopp, Ms. Mansmann of the FRIENDS – to whom we owe our thanks for their generous financial support in the name of the FRIENDS of the project – as well as Ms. Narayanan and Ms. Silva. Without them, this event would not have been possible. For two days, they worked hard in the hot summer temperatures. They tirelessly read out loud, painted countless children’s arms and dispensed refreshing water to the students.
Photos of Yanomami children served as inspiration for the body painting. Aside from indigenous motives, students could choose stamps with ladybugs and Griffins.
There were rubber rainforest frogs jumping on the tables but the best liked amphibians were the edible ones that Ms. Frederike Hylla, the daughter of our one of our preschool teachers, had baked specifically for our project: Each child received a colorful frog, lovingly decorated and individually wrapped. The grown-ups were happy to receive a lunch bag made with love by Ms. Köhler in the Cafeteria.
We believe that this year’s Days of the Book – for the first time in 15 years without an author present but al fresco instead – were great fun for all. Who would have thought that COVID would provide us with inspiration for positive change? And, last but not least, it is important to note that our Zoom children were able to experience the project alongside with us virtually.
Your Book Team, Ursula Eberhard and Ingrid Wrausmann
